§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, I beg to ask the noble Lord the Assistant Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make on the question of the release and transfer of prisoners under the recent Hague agreement. As your Lordships will remember, certain points were left over for settlement before the agreement could become effective. I should like to know from my noble friend whether these points have now been settled.
§ THE ASSISTANT UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (LORD NEWTON)My Lords, I regret to say that a serious difficulty has arisen owing to the Germans having, within the last day or two, taken objection to the use of Hull as the port of em- 685 barcation; this is all the more surprising because we proposed Hull as far back as July 11, and received this objection only a day or two ago. The only possible explanation is that the German Government are desirous of maintaining the belief in Germany that Southwold is the only route which is open between England and the Continent. That is the only explanation of which I can think myself; but I am in communication with the Admiralty, and trust that a satisfactory solution will be arrived at shortly. I am afraid that there is nothing more that I can say upon the subject; but unfortunately it is the case that, as long as the question of a port is loft undecided, it is impossible to proceed with the exchange of prisoners.